Long-haired schoolboy gets reprieve

JOL BATES: Lucan Battison's lawyer says the boy is following in the footsteps of Martin Luther King.

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Long-haired pupil Lucan Battison will return to St John's College on Wednesday while he waits for the judge's decision on his suspension over his hair.

Justice David Collins, who is concerned at the time Lucan has been away from class, asked the school to consider taking him back tomorrow and not to take any further disciplinary action in the meantime.

Richard Harrison, the lawyer representing the school, said the principal, Paul Melloy, was happy to oblige but asked for a day's grace so he could speak with staff and students.

"Because of the publicity...feelings are running high and he's asking for some time," Harrison said.

The review at the High Court in Wellington was held today to determine whether the board of trustees was fair in suspending Lucan Battison from St John's College in Hastings on May 22.

The judge has reserved his decision.

Justice Collins has said he was concerned at the length of time Lucan has been out of school and wanted the boy to be returned pending his decision on the review.

The school lifted the suspension on May 30, allowing him to return if he cut his hair first. Lucan offered to tie his hair back, but this was unacceptable to the school.